Canada-bound postgraduate student killed, Edo family demands justice (Punch)
Family members and friends of a petroleum engineering graduate of the University of Benin, Edo State, Jeffrey Omoregie, have been thrown into mourning after a driver crushed him to death on Uselu-Lagos Expressway, Uselu, in the Egor Local Government Area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Jeffrey was on his way to a Union Bank branch to wait for his mother, who wanted to make cash withdrawal from her bank account.
Our correspondents learnt that the mother intended to give him some money after he concluded plans to travel to Canada for his master’s degree programme.
The 26-year-old, upon getting to Uselu Junction, attempted crossing the expressway to connect to the bank when the yet-to-be-identified motorist, while driving a Lexus car with number plate YAB 985 CL at top speed, rammed into him. Read more
“Yahoo-corps member” bags 2 years imprisonment for internet fraud (Guardian)
A Kwara High Court in Ilorin on Thursday convicted one Christopher Adetuberu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Ogbomosho, Oyo state, for offenses bordering on internet fraud.
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Ibrahim Yusuf said that Adetuberu, 28, was found guilty of the two counts of cybercrime preferred against him by the Ilorin Zonal Command of EFCC.
Yusuf sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with N200,000 as the option of a fine, adding that his conviction would serve as a deterrent to others.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of a 3-Bedroom flat acquired with the proceeds of the illegal activities, a Lexus car, different brands of phones, a laptop, as well as N921, 535.49 found in his bank account to the Federal Government. Read more
Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Egbetokun backs Asiwaju/ Shettima project (Independent)
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Adesina Egbetokun stated this while speaking to Journalists through his media office in Lagos, today on the contentious issue of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC Presidential candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
Hon. Egbetokun who was a House of Representatives Aspirant at the last APC primary elections in Alimosho Federal Constituency, Lagos said Nigeria project has gone beyond religious, political and ethnic sentiment, noting that what the nation needs at this crucial period is true leadership whose interest is total restructuring and capacity building which he said Tinubu/Shettima 2023 project represent.
The presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a southern Muslim, had incurred the wrath of the Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, some party members and other political stakeholders when he announced the former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, a northern Muslim, as his running mate, recently.
The action of the APC national leader degenerated into a backlash, particularly from the Christian community, many of which have been nursing a feeling of marginalisation and its age-long alleged ‘Islamisation’ of Nigeria by the ruling (Muslim) elites class. Read more
Motorist kicks as LASTMA impounds faulty car (Punch)
An event planner, Qoodus Gbagba, has accused men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority of working with hoodlums to impound vehicles on Lagos roads.
The 38-year-old stated that his car started overheating around Anthony Bus-Stop, Maryland, on August 4, when he pulled over to allow it to cool down.
He said some touts asked him to pay N10,000 to help him push the car off the expressway to the service lane but he told them he had only N2,000.
Gbagba said the group threatened that LASTMA officials would tow away his car, adding that shortly afterwards, some officials of the agency showed up and took his vehicle away. Read more
Obi visits Moghalu in Abuja, hints about working together (Sun)
Former governor of Anambra State and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the election scheduled for 2023, Peter Obi, has paid visit to a former presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, Kingsley Moghalu, at his Abuja residence.
Peter Obi disclosed in a tweets on Friday on his verified twitter handle @peterobi, saying, “Yesterday, I spent some valuable time with my brother and friend
@Moghalukingsley and his lovely family. During my visit to him, we discussed some issues that are germane to national interest and nation building. His views, as always, were lucid, concrete and constructive
“We have collaborated in the past on issues related to governance, and I look forward to our unfettered collaboration in the weeks and months ahead.”
Similarly, the former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Kingsley Moghalu, also tweeted that, “His Excellency @PeterObi paid me a visit yesterday morning at my residence in Abuja. I was very glad to receive him. We discussed the state of the nation and his aspiration to lead our country from 2023. I have always enjoyed a warm fraternal relationship with “Okwute”. We collaborated closely when he was Governor of @AnambraStateGov and I, also an Anambra indigene, was Deputy Governor of @cenbank Read more
Customs intercepts N308m Canabis, hands over suspects to NDLEA (Leadership)
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), on Thursday, handed over a total of 3,851kg of Indian Hemp known as Cannabis Sativa worth N308million to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Speaking to journalists, the acting Comptroller, FOU, Zone A, ag. Compt. Hussein Ejibunu, said two suspects, Ebuka Mbamalu and Iruka Chita, were arrested in connection to the cannabis along Ogere-Ilaro expressway.
According to him, the two suspects have, however, been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and persecution, saying they were in possession of 627.0kg and 80 parcels of Cannabis Sativa respectively.
While handing over the suspects to NDLEA, Ejibunu stressed the importance of synergy which was in existence between the Customs and the NDLEA. Read more
Rivers APC Spokesman, Chris Finebone, defects to PDP (Channels)
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chris Finebone has dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party.
The pictures of Mr. Finebone standing in a group photograph with Governor Wike, and others surfaced on social media on Thursday evening.
Others in the picture are the PDP Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara and the pioneer Chairman of the APC, Davies Okanya-Ibiamu who had since joined the PDP.
Mr. Chris Finebone confirmed to Channels Television on Friday morning that he joined the PDP to support the PDP Governorship Candidate who is his kinsman from Opobo. Read more
Aero to commence operations with arrival of 5 Q400 aircraft (ThisDay)
The management of Aero Contractors Airline on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, took delivery of five new Q400 aircraft as part of its recovery strategies as most of its aircraft are undergoing maintenance.
The planes which flew into Nigeria from Canada en route Algiers, the capital of Algeria, got to NAIA at 4:06p.m. local time.
Speaking to journalists shortly after taking delivery of the aircraft, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Aero Contractors, Captain Abdullahi Mahmud, noted that: “As you know, we have suspended our scheduled operations, so this is part of our recovery strategies since most of our aircraft are undergoing maintenance and we want to make sure that when we are coming back as we promised, we would come back very strong.”
Mahmud stated that the delivery is a strategic business alliance “that we have with the owner of the aircraft whereby they brought the aircraft and it is like a sharing formula. If you look at the aircraft, they are not like a wet lease because it’s a Nigerian registered aircraft, so it is our crew that is going to operate it. Our pilots and cabin crew are going to operate it. We have finished signing the agreement with them. Read more
Fulani herdsmen not responsible for killing in Umueri, Anambra community – Metchie (Vanguard)
The President-General of Umueri community in Anambra State, Chief Johnny Metchie, has condemned a video being circulated on social media alleging that Fulani herdsmen killed a man in the area.
Metchie, in a statement, warned those spreading the false information to desist from such, saying it could provoke hatred between Umueri and Fulani community.
Metchie, a United Nations Peace Ambassador and Africa’s Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates, also cautioned that purveyors of fake news would face the full weight of the law, if they fail to desist from such unpatriotic acts.
Metchie said the focus of his administration as the President-General of Umueri has been how to maintain a peaceful relationship between his community and its neighbours, including people of other tribes and religions. Read more
Coldplay fans issued with heatwave advice ahead of Wembley gigs (BelfastTelegraph)
Wembley Stadium has issued advice to fans attending Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres world tour as temperatures are forecast to reach 35C over the weekend.
The British band are playing six shows at the London venue, which has a capacity of 90,000, between Friday and August 21.
Advice published on the Wembley Stadium website asks those attending concerts on Friday and Saturday not to arrive too early, to avoid overconsumption of alcohol, and to wear light clothing to allow the air to circulate.
The venue has also said fans can bring in a refillable plastic or aluminium water bottle – up to 500ml capacity – which they can fill at water points throughout the stadium. Read more
Neon sued by producer over ‘Amazing Grace’ Release (Variety)
“Amazing Grace” arrived in theaters in 2019, some 47 years after the Aretha Franklin concert film was shot in a South L.A. church. The path to the screen was strewn with litigation — including an aborted premiere at the Telluride Film Festival that was halted by an injunction.
The film won raves from critics and was one of the year’s top grossing documentaries. But three years after its release, the litigation goes on.
On Wednesday, producer Alan Elliott filed suit in New York, accusing indie distributor Neon of botching the film’s release and awards campaign.
Elliott alleges that Neon prematurely announced it had acquired the film, scaring off potential rivals, and then failed to live up to its obligations once the deal was done. The suit alleges that Neon failed to properly market the film, particularly in African American communities. Read more
Film about disabled man provokes criticism of Chinese government (VOA)
Chinese state media has stopped promoting a short film that depicted the everyday struggles of a disabled man in rural China and drew tens of millions of views before prompting widespread online criticism of Beijing’s poor disability rights record.
Following the online criticism from Chinese people with and without disabilities, top Chinese video streaming website BiliBili removed the film from its recommended list as official promotion ceased.
The 11-and-a-half-minute film, titled How Erjiu Cured My Mental Friction after Being Back in the Village for Three Days, centers on a man identified as “Erjiu,” or second-eldest uncle. Erjiu’s relative, Tang Hao, shot the film after he visited his home at an undisclosed location in rural China. Tang said he would not release Erjiu’s name or location for privacy reasons. Erjiu himself does not speak in the film.
Released near the end of July, the film follows the 66-year-old man, who has a disability in his left leg. Institutional barriers prevented him from all but a limited education, so he turned to carpentry. Read more
Diane Keaton admits she never read ‘The Godfather’ before auditioning (People)
Diane Keaton is reminiscing about the offer she couldn’t refuse.
The Academy Award winner, 76, admitted to PEOPLE that she auditioned for The Godfather without “having ever read” the book on which the movie was based as she reflected on her career during her Hand & Footprint Ceremony Thursday at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
“I think the kindest thing that someone’s ever done for me … is that I got cast to be in The Godfather and I didn’t even read it. I didn’t know a single thing,” Keaton recalled. “I was just going around auditioning. I think that was amazing for me. And then I had to kind of read the book.”
She played Kay Adams-Corleone, the wife of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 film adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel, later reprising the role in the 1974 and 1990 sequels. Read more
John Eastman, lawyer and former brother-in-Law of Paul McCartney, dies at 83 (TheWrap)
John Eastman, the former brother-in-law of Paul McCartney, died at age 83 of pancreatic cancer, the former Beatle announced on social media on Thursday.
“My dear brother-in-law, John Eastman, has passed away. Having known each other for over 50 years it is an extremely sad time for me, and our families,” McCartney wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two.
Eastman was the brother of Paul’s late wife Linda Eastman McCartney, who died of breast cancer in 1998.
“John was a great man. One of the nicest and smartest people I have had the good luck to have known in my life. Not only did he help me massively in my business dealings as my lawyer but as a friend he was hard to beat,” the music legend wrote. Read more
Meek Mill partners up with WME talent agency to help next wave of cultural leaders (HipHopDX)
Meek Mill is expanding his business portfolio with a brand new partnership with the WME talent agency.
On Thursday (August 11), the Philly native and WME announced they would be forming a strategic partnership to build up the next generation of cultural leaders. The move comes as part of Meek Mill’s Cultural Currency initiative that intends to expand his business while exploring and offering support to his network of artists, athletes, and entertainers.
“The partnership between WME and Culture Currency is a strategic hybrid structure that will bring resources and opportunities to entertainers,” Meek Mill said in a statement. “I have grown and learned the business in an unorthodox way that is effective through relationships built on talent and creativity.”
He continued: “As an entertainer, I see us as part of the first generation that truly has influence and connections spread throughout social justice, music, sports, the movie industry, politics, business and the tech world. Taking advantage of this opportunity will allow us to give others the same chance to catch their dreams. Thank you WME for opening the door to build this bridge.” Read more
Jailed Australian economist testifies in closed Myanmar trial (Aljazeera)
An Australian academic and economic adviser to Myanmar’s elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained after the military seized power last year, has testified in a military court for the first time.
Sean Turnell, an economist at Macquarie University in Sydney, is being tried with Aung San Suu Kyi on charges of breaking the country’s official secrets act.
Turnell was arrested five days after the coup on February 1 and is currently being held in prison in Naypyidaw, the capital, as is Aung San Suu Kyi. Three of her former Cabinet members are on trial with them at a closed-door court set up in the prison.
A legal official familiar with Thursday’s proceedings told the Associated Press news agency that Turnell denied the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty. Further details were not available because his lawyers have been barred from talking about the case. All of the trials involving Aung San Suu Kyi have been held under similar restrictions. Read more
Okwaraji had feeling of death – Ex-teammate, Adesina (Punch)
Today makes it 33 years since Samuel Okwaraji slumped and died while featuring for Nigeria in a 1990 World Cup qualifier in Lagos, and ex-teammate, Ademola Adesina has revealed exclusively to PUNCH Sports Extra his last encounter with the fallen star.
Okwaraji slumped at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos during the World Cup qualifier against Angola on August 12, 1989 and was certified dead after he was rushed to the hospital by stadium medical personnel.
Former Eagles defender Adeshina told PUNCH Sports Extra that the last time he spoke with Okwaraji, the late midfield maestro was excitedly looking forward to the game against the Angolans, and had a premonition that he would become popular globally after the match.
“He was my roommate and we were very close. We left Belgium together for the game against Angola. The Friday before the game, while chatting with Sam, he said, ‘Demola, if I play this match (Angola game), the whole world will know me, they’ll look at me well and the whole world will notice.’ And thereafter the whole world knew him. Read more
Kevin de Bruyne, Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois are Uefa Player of the Year nominees (BBC)
Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois have been shortlisted for the men’s Uefa Player of the Year award.
The winner will be announced on 25 August.
Goalkeeper Courtois and Benzema won the Champions League, with the striker named 2021-22 Uefa Champions League Player of the Season.
Courtois was Player of the Match in the Champions League final. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo makes promise as summer transfer move blocked (Mirror)
After an opening weekend setback, Manchester United’s frustrating summer continues with each passing day of transfers stalling.
Just three new faces have arrived since Erik ten Hag took over, despite the new manager having the whole summer to earmark targets. All three featured to some extent at Old Trafford on Sunday, when Ten Hag’s team were beaten at home by Brighton & Hove Albion for the first time in the Seagulls’ history.
There could be changes afoot for the next game, away at Brentford on Saturday, with Cristiano Ronaldo pushing for a start, while fan unrest has become visible. Here are the latest news lines from around Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he is fit and firing after appearing from the bench against Brighton. Last season’s top scorer played less than 45 minutes on Sunday, having barely featured in pre-season. Read more
FIFA moves World Cup start forward by 1 day to November 20 (Aljazeera)
FIFA has moved the start of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar forward by one day to allow the host nation to play after an opening ceremony on Sunday, November 20.
The football governing body confirmed the decision on Thursday, saying that it followed an assessment of the “competition and operational implications” and consultations with stakeholders and the host nation.
“The change ensures the continuity of a long-standing tradition of marking the start of the FIFA World Cup with an opening ceremony on the occasion of the first match featuring either the hosts or the defending champions,” FIFA said in a statement.
The opening game was set to be an encounter between Senegal and the Netherlands on November 21. After Thursday’s decision, that match was moved to six hours later, taking the evening spot previously allocated to Qatar v Ecuador. Read more
Michelle Obama shares message to Serena Williams following retirement news (TennisWorld)
Former First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated Serena Williams on a great tennis career and wished her all the best in the next chapter of her life. Williams, 40, announced her retirement in a piece published for Vogue. After being active for more than two decades, Williams is set to say goodbye to professional tennis at the US Open.
“Serena, thank you for everything that you’ve done to break barriers and to be a positive light in this world,” Obama wrote on Instagram. “We’ve all watched you wear the crown of greatness with the kind of humility, grace, and integrity that all of us can aspire to.
It has meant so much to follow your journey as an athlete, as a mother, as a business leader, and more. I wish you the best as you evolve into this next chapter. And please know that I’ll always be cheering you on!”
In her retirement message, Williams didn’t really want to use the word “retirement.” Read more
Leona Maguire one back after magical putting day at Galgorm Castle (IrishIndependent)
Leona Maguire produced some putting magic and birdied her last three holes to open with a five-under 68 to lie just a shot off the pace in the tri-sanctioned ISPS Handa World Invitational at sun-baked Galgorm Castle.
The Cavan star closed with a 66 on Sunday to tie for fourth despite not putting well in the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield.
But while she struggled off the tee yesterday, hitting her opening drive out of bounds, she had just 23 putts as she mixed four bogeys with seven birdies and an eagle-three.
“It’s never ideal when you hit your first tee-shot out of bounds, but I’ve done well,” said Maguire, who is tied for second with American Lauren Coughlin, Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and England’s Georgia Hall, just one shot behind American Amanda Doherty, who birdied all five par-fives in a six-under 67 at Galgorm Castle. Read more
Prince Bernhard shuts down talk of Assen taking Dutch GP from Zandvoort (PlanetF1)
The owner of the Zandvoort circuit has rubbished claims a second Dutch Grand Prix could be added to the Formula 1 2023 calendar.
As Dutchman Max Verstappen’s prominence in F1 rose, so did the popularity of the sport back in his home country. It had been 34 years since the last grand prix was held in the country before its return in 2021.
The sky was practically orange as Dutch fans, equipped with orange flairs, poured into the track to support their home star who went on to win the race on his way to his maiden World Championship.
The Circuit Zandvoort was added to the calendar initially in 2020, later cancelled because of the COVID pandemic, in a contract that runs for three years with the possibility of another two added on to that. Read more